Operating device for split wheel-rims.



G.'W. WOLF. OPERATING DEVICE FOR SPLIT WHEEL RIMSL.

APPLICATION FILED 0019,1913.

Patented Sept. 29,1914.

hbe/wtom wi huoow antece- GEORGE W ESIQEY'W LF, or noon-Form, OHIO.

ornne'rme n'nvicn non srLrr WHEEL-RIMS.

Specificatipnof-Letters Patent.

' Patented Sept. 29,1914.

' Application filed October 9, 1913. Serial No. 794,293,.

To all whom it may concern Be it knownthat I, GEORGE WESLEY WOLF, a citizen of the United States, residing at Rockford, in the county of Mercer and State of- Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Operating Devices for Split \Vheel-Rims; and I- do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description' of theinvention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which'it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in wheel-rims and particularly to divisible or split rims intended for use in connection with pneumatic tires. A

The object of the invention is th provide a simple and efficient device whereby the rim may be readily contracted and expanded and positively locked in its expanded position to provide for the removal and replacement'of a tire with great facility,

Another object is to provide a device of this character having means for preventing contortion of the parts should excessive pressure he brought to bear thereon.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists of certain novel" features of construction, combination and arrange ment of parts as will be more fully described and claimed,

In the embodiment illustrated: Figure 1 represents-a side view of a wheel-rim having a pneumatic tire applied thereto an equipped with this improved device, the rim being shown in open or retracted position; Fig. 2 is a plan view showingthis improved operating device applied and in locked position; Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section thereof; Fig. 4 is a transverse section takep on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 isa detailplan view of one member of the operating device.

In the embodiment illustrated, a split wheel-rim'R is shown the meeting ends of which are preferably beveled in opposite directions as shown at B to adapt them to overlap and form a tight joint when the-rim is in operative closed position. The device for contracting or expanding this rim and which constitutes this invention, comprises a plate or hinge member 1 which is adapted to be riveted or otherwise fastened to ,the inner face of the rim R near one end thereof. This plate 1 has a knuckle 2 designed to receive a'pintle 3 which connects said plate with an operating lever 4, said lever being bifurcated and the arms 5 and 6 thereof ,spaced apart a sufficient distance to. receive between the free ends thereof the knuckles 2.

The free ends of these arms 5 and 6 have knuckles 7 and 8 thereon through which the pm'tle 3 passes and connects the lever with the plate 1. The inner edges of these arms 5 and 6 are beveled on their inner faces as shown at 9 the bevel being of greater width at the crotch of the arms and tapering toward'the free ends thereof for a purpose to be described. These. arms 5 and 6 are also provided with knuckles or bearings 10 and; 11 spaced inwardly from the knuckles 7 and 8. and which are designed to receive a .pintle 12 which connects the'lever with a hinge member 13 which is riveted or otherwise fastened to the other end of the rim R on its inner face. This hinge member 13 is preferably constructed as shown in detail in Fig. 5 in'the form of a substantially rectangular plate having a knuckle 14 at one end adapted to project beyond the end of the rim to which it is secured beveled on its end and side edges of its outer face as shown at 15 to bear-against and. fit

the beveled face of these arms whenlthe lever is in closed position preventing'its passage between said arms and thereby reinforcing the arms and preventingall danger of their becoming bent or distorted should excessive pressure be exerted by the tire on the rim at this point and also preventing any possibility of the tapered end of said member 13 passing between the arms 5 and 6. The bevel of this member l3-is widest at the end of the member and tapers toward its knuckle end to correspond with the beveledface of the lever 4. The knuckle end of said member 13 is adapted to swing freely between the arms of the lever to permit the free movement of said lever relative to said hinge member.

A catch or lever securing member 16 is pivoted to the rim R a sufiicient distance from the hinge member 13 to engage the free end of the lever and lock it in closed positionwhen the rim is expanded as is shown clearly in 2 and 3.- The lever engaging end of isa d catch being off-set or v s'ocketed to ,receivefsaid lever. in ihe.o peratio n of this device, the partsbeing in theip'osition shown in Fig. 2 and it is desired to remove the tire from the rim,

the catch 16 is shifted to disengage. it from 'tliefiend, of the lever 4 and said leveris 1 attached to the lever by the pintle 12. VVh'en in, this position,. it will be obvious, that the rim w1ll be retracted .sufiiciently to permitthe ready removal oi the tire. After anby the arrow'a thereby forcing the end of other tire has been placed-thereon and it is desired to expand or close the rim, the lever is swung in the oppos te direction as shown I v the rim connected with the hinge 'member 13 outwardly and bringii' g it into engagement,

with theend carrying the plate'l'. When in thispositionthelever 4 is swung into en gage-merit with the rim and the free end i v thereoisecured by the latch 16.

. obvious that a tire maybe very quickly Japplied to or removed from the rim 'R' by the.

' operation of this lever-4: as above described.

' I claim as my invention 1 1. A split rim operating I device comprismg hinge members connected to the opposite ends of the rim and having knuckles on their opposed edges", an operating .lever bifurcated 'at'one end with each arm thereof provided withlongitudinally space'd knuckjl'es, the knuckles on one armmregistering with those on the other and adapted to reglst er with the knuckles-on the hingememhers, a pintle connecting-the outer knuckle of said lev'er'withthe fkriuckle on one hinge member, a pintle' connecting the inner knuckle of said lever with the knuckle of the other hinge member, the last mentioned hinge member being shaped'to f t between the arms, and in the crotch of said lever, said lever and -hinge member having beveled overlapp ng meeting faces beyond the -p1votal connection thereof,- and means for locking said lever in closed posit on.

2."Ani operating device for split wheel rims comprising hinge members secured. to the-opposite ends of the rim, an'operating lever, meansconnecting said lever with both of'sai d-hinge members at points spaced ,from each other, one bf said. hinge members and said lever having beveledmeetiiw faces adapted to overlap and form reintorcing -means and a limiting stop for the lever. From "the above description, it will be In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand 'in' presence of two subscribing wit- 

